Principal in Charge - Education

HMC Architects; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 137,058 - 211,256; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee stock ownership grants

Medical insurance

Paid time off

Discretionary bonuses

Job summary

A leading design firm is looking for a Principal in Charge in San Jose, California. This role involves overseeing significant projects through all phases, establishing and maintaining budgets, and fostering strong client relationships. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in architectural practice, preferably with a focus on educational projects, and will demonstrate strong leadership and business development skills. Work is hybrid, requiring three days in the office and offers a competitive salary based on qualifications.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 years’ experience in architectural practice.
• At least 5 years in education project management.
• 2+ years in a senior leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Lead major architectural projects through all development phases.
• Manage client relationships and business development.
• Oversee project management cycle and staff coordination.

Skills

Business development

Project management

Client relationship management

Leadership

Multi-tasking

Education

Architectural degree from an accredited university

Licensed architect, preferably in California

Job description

HMC Architects is an employee-owned design firm with a desire to make a difference in our communities. As a purpose-driven firm based on values, our mission to design for good drives everything we do. And our ownership culture creates alignment and increased commitment to that mission, keeping us on track to being successful.

What We Do

Founded with the purpose of anticipating community needs, HMC aims to create designs that have a positive impact, now and into the future. We focus primarily on opportunities to have the most direct contribution to communities–through healthcare, education, and civic spaces.

Summary

The Principal in Charge will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing a major project or projects through all phases of development. Where applicable, gives direction to assigned staff. Leads the client relationship. Assigns appropriate staff.

Will establish and maintain budgets, schedules, and monitor adherence of terms of contract expectations. Has responsibility for client contact and authority to direct, control, and monitor all project activities. Strong ability to multi-task and prioritize. Ability to oversee several groups performing work or supporting work. Responsible for ongoing marketing and business development and maintaining a consistent backlog of work. Responsible for becoming a known presence in community and/or specific HMC markets segment.

This position is located in San Jose, California The position requires 3 days in the office and the ability to work from home Mondays and Fridays.

Position Responsibilities

Business Development/Client Engagement

• Procure and manage an average of $4M of gross project revenue per year and achieve an average of $5.3M in new contracts annually through existing clients\repeat work or new business development activities.
• Serve as the primary proponent on project pursuits, establish strong relationships with clients, and leading a team that will present to clients.
• Use market and client intelligence in locating new opportunities, prepositioning, preparing quals/proposals, and interviewing.
• Generate new business development leads by reaching out to prospective clients.
• Successfully achieve competitive project wins and transition the management of projects to Project Management staff where appropriate.
• Work with existing clients to identify upcoming architectural needs that can lead to project opportunities.
• Lead the project team for Go/No Go decisions of project pursuits.
• Ensure that additional services requested by client are billed and invoiced appropriately.
• Maintain an appropriate backlog of work that ensures the viability of the studio and its staff.
• Develop a network of current and past clients and industry partners.
• Develop relationships with agency leaders in their markets.
• Maintain strong relationships with existing clients and ensure that they are satisfied with HMC’s services.
• Attend conferences, events, and other networking opportunities to grow HMC’s presence in the marketplace
• Market HMC capabilities through public presentations and professional publications.
• Direct overall verbal and graphic communication of complex project concepts to clients, public agencies, and project team members; serve as the primary point of contact for all client issues.
• Write RFP’S and negotiate contracts and fees with clients and consultants.
• Write articles for professional publications of architecture and construction industry.
• Write and develop project marketing interview materials. Participate and lead in project marketing interview.
• Resolve "lost opportunity" issues, including staffing adjustments, review of contractual obligations, and scope of service.
• Represent HMC in the industry and in the community.

Leadership

• Demonstrate and promote the values and culture of HMC; serve as an HMC advocate, internally and externally; be a source of inspiration and encouragement to staff, with a positive attitude and genuine care for the firm, staff, community and clients
• Drive accountability across the studio on adherence to HMC technical protocols and standards
• Supervise and manage multiple clients and project at once through all phases of projects
• Direct and coordinate project work with team members and consultants
• Ensure that coaching, mentoring, and performance‑enhancing feedback of assigned team members are provided, particularly related to technical proficiency
• Monitor employee performance and take appropriate action to provide feedback on both positive and negative performance
• Establish productive working relationships, and deal effectively and cooperatively with practice leadership, clients, team members, consultants, and government agencies
• Give assignments to office support staff, consultants, and vendors clearly, effectively, and professionally
• Display willingness to make decisions; exhibit sound and accurate judgment; support and explain reasoning for decisions; include appropriate people in decision‑making process; make timely decisions
• Resolve issues related to team members and consultants
• Collaborate with other studio leaders to ensure studio leadership is unified and supportive of each other; work with non‑studio leadership as needed on firmwide initiatives
• Listen and communicate effectively and professionally in a wide variety of settings inside and outside the firm
• Assure consistency and integration of technical resources on project teams from pursuit through completion
• Set goals, prioritize, and plan work activities for self‑management and use time efficiently
• Direct and prepare work plans and schedules for the completion of technical elements within a project, in coordination with project managers and other Principals
• Ensure that all HMC procedures, standards, and protocols are followed

Project Management

• Oversee and manage all aspects of the project management cycle
• Monitor staffing plans and projected workloads to meet expected project timelines, budgets, and profitability
• Supervise and manage multiple clients and project groups simultaneously, in all phases of projects
• Review and assist staff in setting budgets, goals, and preparing work plans that clearly define their expectations, and take appropriate action when as needed
• Achieve gross profit targets on projects under purview
• Work with accounting to invoice clients for services and resolve collection of aged accounts and any financial issues with clients
• Review and edit specifications as needed
• Adjust staffing when needed to ensure adequate resource deployment
• Responsible for ensuring that all HMC procedures, standards, and protocols are followed
• Set goals, prioritize, and plan work activities for self and staff; use time efficiently
• Provide support and leadership to other offices, studios, and groups
• Ensure that project managers support design and follow design intent and quality on all projects
• Ensure that documents are reviewed for quality, coordination, and compliance with the requirements of deliverables and client standards in all phases
• Review cost estimates and conduct value analysis
• Resolve plan check and approval issues with the agencies and client
• Ensure that materials and systems meet HMC and client standards and are within budget
• Oversee and resolve issues during construction phase of all work under their supervision
• Sign and approve drawings as required by HMC polices if you are a licensed architect
• Participate in design charettes, team design critiques and pin-ups

Position Requirements

• Architectural degree from an accredited university
• Licensed architect, preferably in California
• Minimum of 12 years’ experience in production and coordination of documents in all phases of architectural practice and in management of education (PreK-12 and/or Higher Education) architectural projects
• Minimum of 5 years’ recent experience school districts, private school systems and/or higher education clients, municipalities and government entities such as DSA
• Minimum of 2 years’ as a senior leader, leading project teams and engaging in successful business development
• Must be on-site in an HMC studio to lead staff a minimum of 3 days per week

The salary range for this position is $137,058 - $211,256

The actual offered salary for this position will vary depending on multiple factors including the candidate’s qualification, education, position knowledge, work experience, skills, ability, work location, and internal incumbent compensation for similar roles. We do not anticipate individuals hired into this position will start at or near the top half of the range listed; the decision will be based on each individual case. The salary range listed above does not include other compensation elements such as discretionary bonus opportunities, employee stock ownership grants, paid time off, medical insurance, and other wage and benefit opportunities.